St.Kitts-Nevis – first English-speaking Caribbean State to launch their Man and the Biosphere Programme

The Federation of St. Kitts-Nevis has become the first English-speaking Caribbean State to launch their Man and the Biosphere Programme.

According to a story on UNESCO's website, the St. Mary's Biosphere Programme, is dedicated to the sustainable development and management of an area of significant biodiversity and cultural conservation, sustainable development capacity building and information sharing. The Man and the Biosphere Programmes -MAB are also significant learning and research laboratories as they facilitate the engagement of humans and the natural environment.

The St. Mary's Biosphere Programme covers an area of considerable diversity, from the mountain peak down to the coast, including mangroves and reefs. The selected area is currently home to one of the foremost nesting sites for sea turtles in the region.

The St. Kitts-Nevis National MAB Committee has a key role and functions including, Advocacy and support of sustainable development, promotion and monitoring of scientific research, planning and management of Biosphere reserves, approval of Biosphere Reserve Proposals, capacity development of the local communities in resource management and environmental protection, the conservation of biological diversity.

The National MAB Committee must formulate a two year action plan within three months of its inception, which should include the close working with the authorities responsible for the implementation of relevant biodiversity and environmental multilateral agreements. This is Donn Bobb reporting.